What Not to Do When You Drop Your Child Off at Daycare

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During the work week, I watch kids in my home while their parents go to work, to an appointment, or just need a break. I’ve been watching kids of all ages for over 8 years and have learned a little bit about kids. One of the biggest challenges during the day with the kids is during parent drop-off and parent pick up. If you have ever worked with kids, you know that kids are not ‘normal’ when they are around their parents. They become a different child. In an effort to help anyone dropping a child off at daycare and in an effort to help daycare provider’s mornings run a bit smoother I’d like to share with you What Not to Do When You Drop Your Child Off at Daycare.

Every childcare facility is different and each one has their own established rules but these tips that I am about to give you are ones that are common practices and ones that should help your daycare provider.

Don’t let your child walk into daycare with a toy or an object that you know they are not allowed to bring. I understand that you want your little one to be happy when they are on the car ride to daycare but it’s important to teach them to follow daycare rules. When a parent allows their child to bring a toy or an object into daycare then it makes it hard on the daycare provider when they are forced to take it away from your child and in turn, it makes the child look at the provider as the ‘mean one’.

Make sure your child has gone potty and/or has a clean diaper before arriving at daycare. I understand that accidents can happen during the car ride but it’s important to change your little one out of the icky night time diaper and make sure your potty trained child sits on the potty before you drive to daycare.

If you bring your little one to daycare with a dirty diaper, offer to change it for the daycare provider or just do it without asking.

When you bring your child to daycare, don’t stick around. I know it is hard to leave your little one when they are upset but it’s important that you kiss them goodbye and then leave. Too often I have seen a child cry and tantrum when their parent is dropping them off and then magically stop as their mom or dad drive away. Kids are smart!

Unless your child is the only one at daycare avoid having a conversation with the daycare provider. If you have something important to share with your provider, write it down and hand it to them and/or send them a text but let them know that you will be sending them an important text message.

When you drop off your little one, be focused on them. Avoid being distracted by your phone so that you can give your little one a proper goodbye. (Thanks, Christina, from Little Sprouts for this great tip)

It’s not easy dropping a child off at daycare. You want to leave them with a smile on their face but as we all know, that doesn’t always happen. Daycare providers work hard to instill good values into your children and we have certain rules that you may not have at home, so it’s important that you help your child understand and follow the rules at daycare as you are pulling into the drive.

Comments

Yes! I used to work at a daycare in the toddler program, and drop off was so stressful for a couple of the kids; one’s parents brought him with his favorite toy dump truck from home EVERY SINGLE DAY, knowing that our center did not allow any toys from home at all, so every single day we had to take it away as soon as he got there. The lingering parents really made it difficult for their kids, too; even if they went outside and peeked through the windows, their kids could see them and would continue to scream and tantrum because they could see mommy standing outside! It was always so much easier when parents gave a hug and a kiss, then got in the car and LEFT!

It is a smart idea to not stick around. Otherwise your child will get used to you being there. Eventually they will learn that it is fine to be there alone, and they will hopefully have a good time. If they do have tantrums, it is a good idea to leave it up to the staff at the daycare to take care of it.